Overview & Reviews

The Saturn brand, which was part of General Motors, has been discontinued as of the 2009 model year. Though popular in its early years, Saturn suffered from poor sales and was shuttered as part of GM's bankruptcy reorganization.

Despite its sad end, Saturn started with a bright future. After losing market share to Japanese imports during the '80s, General Motors launched Saturn, a new division that began selling small, low-priced cars in 1990. The division promoted itself as "different," with Saturn dealers offering no-haggle pricing and friendly customer service.

Saturn made its debut with the S Series line of vehicles. Available in sedan, coupe and wagon configurations, these Saturns differentiated themselves from other GM products with all-new platforms and flexible plastic panels meant to resist denting. Additionally, the brand was granted its own plant, with all Saturns being built at a dedicated facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. These first Saturns weren't exactly built to burn rubber; they were powered by engines that offered from 85-124 horsepower. The payoff, though, was that these were among the most fuel-efficient vehicles of their day, offering up to 40 miles per gallon (when equipped with a manual transmission).

Just after the brand's conception, GM boasted that Saturn vehicles would benefit from rapid evolution, but in the early years, this wasn't the case. The brand's vehicles saw only one redesign in their first decade of existence. The revamp took place in the mid-'90s, and for the most part, it was only skin deep. Exteriors were spruced up and interior room saw a slight increase.

The Saturn brand enjoyed some success in its earliest years, fueled by buyers who were in love with its unique approach to customer relations that included "no-haggle" pricing. By the turn of the century, though, the novelty had worn off. With dated platforms and a limited range of products, the marque was neglected by GM, and disappointing sales figures showed that buyers had taken note and chosen to spend their dollars elsewhere.

GM responded by ramping up its commitment to the Saturn brand. In 2000, it rolled out the L Series; sharing a platform and an engine with the Opel Vectra (one of GM's European products) the sedan was the opening salvo in GM's ultimately futile fight to resuscitate the struggling brand. An SUV, the Vue, was unveiled, as was a minivan, the Relay. The S Series was replaced by the lamentable Ion, which was available as a sedan and a coupe. GM also added a hybrid to the lineup, with the introduction of the Saturn Vue Green Line.

Later, Saturn included the sporty Sky roadster, the midsize Aura sedan, the compact second-generation Vue crossover and the full-size Outlook crossover. For a brief period, there was also the European-sourced Astra compact hatchback.

Despite the increase in product quality, however, the Saturn brand effectively collapsed in 2009. As part of GM's bankruptcy proceedings, Saturn was offered up for sale. Initially, it was believed that the Penske Corporation would take over Saturn. But the deal fell through at the last minute, thereby spelling the final end for GM's import-fighting experiment.

User Reviews:

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  Good value - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By cfm56doc - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Overall I am pleased with the vehicle, but am unsure abouth the dealership network. Our truck has had several trips for repairs and still am fighting an A/C problem quiting after 1 1/2 - 2 hours on the highway. If you shut the A/C system off for aprox. 30 seconds and turn the A/C back on all will be fine for the next hour until you repeat. Front suspensions is a MAJOR sore point with this vehicle. I am on my 3 set of struts after only 26,00 miles. Bad luck? I keep telling myself I bought an early production version and am paying the price for it.

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  Lots of miles still going strong - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By vue in VT - June 2 - 7:20 am

  I have 51,000 miles since bought new in 08. had floor board leak in beginning had go to dealer twice for repair but not one issues since but did have door handles replaced for recall. I love the ride and am very sorry that Saturn is closed I know I will not get as good service at Chevy dealership.

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  Reeling in the Relay - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Fran - May 30 - 11:43 am

  In general I like the car. The first year I owned it the A/C wasnt strong at all. This past summer I found the A/C to work much more efficiently. The ride is average, the road noise is below average. I love the styling of the van. Its what encouraged me to purchase it along with the built in DVD player that my daughter plays video games on as well as watch movies. For a large cargo area that this van has, I found there was more room in the Chrysler/Dodge/Honda vans. I was sold on the look for the most part.

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  Its a keeper. - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By bkm73 - May 21 - 1:46 am

  I like my VUE. The vehicle I liked best out of recent years was my GMC Jimmy but I couldnt keep it away from the fuel pumps. When I found out VUEs are rated for 27 highway that got my attention. I have 80+ thousand miles, just bought new Bridgestones last fall and still have original brakes. You can hear it run thru the 5 aoutomatic gears as you accelerate but I kind of like that. I have had no problems in all kind of snow and ice and the only time I was afraid of getting stuck was in MUD. It didnt let me down. I like the outside distinctive styling and the interior is comfortable if it is plastic. I have spent some money on repairs but not out of reason.

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  Not A Bad Car... - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kelseyxglamour - May 20 - 11:16 am

  good car for reliability, does good in the snow. The suspension is kinda squeaky, great deal for the price. The interior design is horrible you will defiantly be squeezed if there are more than two people in the car. There is no room to put anything, and there are only two cup holders.Over all i am happy with the car when i or one other person is in it. Defiantly Not a family car.Oh the fabric on the inside stains when you get water on it, the seats look terrible.

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  My only problem is the transmission - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Jay - May 20 - 1:53 am

  I bought this car with every option in the book. It is very comfortable and spacious. The cargo space, even with the third row seat up is very good. The only problem I have ancountered, and it is not a small one, is the sluggish transmission. Once youve passed take off, the thing will stay on gear forever before shifting to the next speed. This usually happens at or around the 40 mph mark. Its like its stuck on that gear and wont move up unless you put the pedal to the floor. If they could do some sort of software update on the throttle/gear ratio the car would be perfect.

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  Nice Sporty Car for over 50 crowd - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Don - May 18 - 10:49 pm

  Was looking for a Stick Shift car as I was getting tired of my 95 Prizm with 3 spd automatic (great car, but boring!). Found this on car site, price was right, had under 89K on the clock and was a 5 speed (!). Only a few cosmetic blemishes (crack in upper front fender, small hole in side of drivers seat, but ran strong. Over the next 15 months, have replaced; A/C Unit (bought car in winter, was unable to test, Compressor was broken, replaced under warranty), new rear shocks ($50 from RA, did myself), upgraded front brakes (drilled and slotted units from RA for $105, did myself), new front wheel bearings ($75 total from RA, did myself) lower control arms ($105 total from RA, again, did myself). Not all cars are perfect, but this one has been the most fun to drive since my 1978 Firebird I had in 1982. It has the gumption to get up and go on the highway AND, you can do the Supercharger upgrade from the Redline OR Cobal SS without doing anything special as the 2.2 will handle the extra power without strengthening the valve train or crankshaft. Looking forward to having fun with this car, and...love the back suicide doors! Everyone gets a kick out of them!

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  Alternative to a Usd Car - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Riverman - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Big Rebates put a new VUE in the same price range as many used cars. The Saturn Vehicle Exchange Program works. My first Saturn Vue (manual transmission)would fly out of third gear on hills. I asked for a new Saturn and took my choice. This is a fine option to a Compact Station Wagon. Very practical. The type of people who like "sensable shoes" buy Saturn.

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  Salt Lake City - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Steve and Vicky - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is great.... dealer is only marginal. I wish there was another dealer in Wasatch front that was not owned by the same

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  ITS THE CAR FOR YOU - 2003 Saturn ION
  By bam134 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  THE POWER IS GREAT, THE RIDE IS EXCELLENT, THE SEATS ARE GREAT